National Leader of the Year Awards

Applications are submitted through Kaleidoscope, an online scholarship and award application platform, and reviewed by the National Awards Committee. Applications will include personal essays, a resume, a transcript, and a recommendation. Submitted applications missing the recommendation portion are considered incomplete and will not be considered.

View the slide decks from this fall’s informational webinars here.

The dates for the 2026-2027 application will be posted this fall.

Below are examples of leadership that would qualify an applicant for each award. As collegiate leadership experiences can be very diverse, these examples should not be considered exhaustive.

• Gen. Russell E. Dougherty National Leader of the Year
  This award is designed to honor the top student leader within Omicron Delta Kappa’s undergraduate membership. This person often has multiple significant leadership positions, and their leadership has created positive change on their campus and the community.
• National Leader of the Year – Academics and Research
  Leadership in this pillar can be demonstrated by holding positions in academic organizations, delivering research presentations, submitting research publications, participating in undergraduate research projects, teaching, or tutoring.
• National Leader of the Year – Service to Campus and Community
  Leadership in this pillar may be demonstrated through serving in student government or other collegiate organizations, creating or leading a community service program, or other involvement in campus-wide initiatives such as task forces and committees.
• National Leader of the Year – Creative and Performing Arts
  Leadership in this pillar may be demonstrated through serving as the director or creator of an arts production, leading an arts-related student organization, or curating student art shows.
• National Leader of the Year – Communications
  Leadership in this pillar could include, but is not limited to, serving as an editor for a campus media outlet (newspaper, radio/TV, or yearbook), leading marketing efforts for organizations, or developing podcasts, blogs, and social media to support causes important to students and the campus.
• National Leader of the Year – Athletics
  Leadership in this pillar may be demonstrated through serving as a team captain, instructor, coach, or trainer, and other leadership positions, such as a role on a Student-Athlete Advisory Council.

All undergraduate members are eligible to apply for the National Leader of the Year Awards. Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at the time of their application, but may graduate and/or transition to graduate school during the selection process. Applicants must have a 3.25 GPA (cumulative, as listed on their submitted transcript) to qualify. Applicants may apply for as many awards as they desire, but will only be selected for one award. Multiple students from one institution may apply. (Note to advisors: There is no longer a requirement for students to be designated Circle Leader of the Year prior to applying for NLOY.)

Students currently serving on O∆K’s Board of Trustees are not eligible to apply for NLOY (O∆K Policies & Procedures, 740.4).

Read more about past National Leaders of the Year:

• 2026 National Leader of the Year Award Recipients
• 2025 National Leader of the Year Award Recipients
• 2024 National Leader of the Year Award Recipients
• 2023 National Leader of the Year Award Recipients
• 2022 National Leader of the Year Award Recipients
• 2021 National Leader of the Year Award Recipients
• Past Recipients – Dougherty National Leader of the Year Award